Summertime Maintenance Tips for Your Iron Fence

The onset of summer exposes your iron fence to intense heat, rust, and humidity. Given that metal surfaces tend to retain heat and dry out rapidly, your fence remains susceptible to deterioration. Why let the summer heat rob your beautiful fence of its charm and durability?

With professional fence care and timely upkeep, you can add to the lifeline of your fence and spruce up its curb appeal.

Being one of the established fencing companies, we recommend timely maintenance. This way, you won’t be investing in fence repair every few years. At GS Fence, we specialize in maintaining both residential and commercial fences.

In case your wrought iron fence has missed the scheduled maintenance during summer, we would be happy to help!

Here are some effective summertime iron fence maintenance tips from our end.

How to maintain your iron fence in summer?

Our comprehensive approach to fence care includes rust inspection, lubricating hinges, and applying protective coatings.

Timely cleaning

As a part of our fence maintenance schedule, we recommend cleaning iron fences before summertime. Use a specialized iron fence cleaner or a mild detergent to remove the dirt build-up and debris. Gently scrub the grime away using a soft sponge or brush. Once done, rinse the metal surface with water and let it dry. This way, you will cherish the visual appeal of your fences.

Rust inspection

The high moisture levels and humidity during summer months render iron fences susceptible to rusting. Thoroughly inspect the fence, looking out for signs of rust. Closely examine the welds and joints along with the exposed surfaces.

Once you detect rusty spots, remove them using a sandpaper or brush. Next, apply a primer to secure the metal surface from further corrosion.

Apply protective coatings

A protective coating would prevent the harsh elements of summer away from deteriorating your fence. We recommend using a specialized metal sealant or high-quality paint to shield off the harsh UV rays. Besides, a protective coating or quality paint keeps corrosion at bay.

Before applying any coating, clean the metal surface thoroughly. Regularly inspect the fence and touch up any area where the coating might have worn off.

Lubricate moving parts and hinges

Well, you wouldn’t like squeaking hinges or jammed components around your fence. Lubricate the hinges and moving parts to ensure smooth operation. We recommend specially formulated lubricant for metal surfaces. Graphite powders or silicone-based lubricants help in preventing squeaking by reducing friction.

Lubricating your fence before summer ensures that your gate operates smoothly. Besides, it prevents premature wear and tear of the hinges.

Remove unwanted vegetation

It’s common to see your plants and shrubs grow vigorously during the summer months. Unless you trim back the overgrown vegetation, they tend to encroach on your fence. Excessive pressure from large shrubs or branches damages the hinges. Besides, you wouldn’t like those scratches on the newly painted surface.

Therefore, the summer inspection period would be ideal to do away with unwanted vegetation.

Why expose your iron fence to the wrath of summer with professional fencing experts around? Reach out to us at GS Fence for a thorough inspection and maintenance of your fence during the summer. Call us on (210) 888-1498 or fill up this contact form, so that our experts can reach out to you.

How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Fences?

When you install a fence on your residential or commercial property, you want it to last for decades. It must withstand sunlight, winds, storms, moisture, and exposure to various other conditions. Whatever type of fences you may have, they will need specialized care and maintenance if you want to extend their lifespan.

At G’s Fence Company of San Antonio, we would like to share some helpful tips for different fence materials to get more years out of them.

Wooden Fences

When maintained well, a wooden fence should see at least 20 years of life. Wooden fences are a significant investment and you should do everything to get more out of them.

Add Metal Fence Posts: The posts are the most vulnerable part of a wooden fence because they are in constant contact with the ground. Use metal fence posts, as they can last decades while building a strong and durable foundation. You will not have to worry about wood posts absorbing moisture and suffering damage from mildew, rot, or insects.
Install a Rot Board: Add a rot board to the fence’s bottom to prevent moisture absorption.
Stain & Seal: Use quality fence stain and sealer to add life to the wooden fence and enhance its looks. Fence stain can also protect against UV-ray degradation.
Inspect & Repair: Make sure your wooden fence is inspected and repaired every year. Timely repair can prevent any costly breakdowns, repairs, and replacement jobs.

Vinyl Fences

Vinyl fence is more popular than almost any other fence type. These fences can last from 20 to 40 years based on the maintenance and repairs they receive. Vinyl is a durable and sturdy material and requires minimal maintenance. It is recommended to take the following steps to have your vinyl fence, see more summers:

Inspections & Regular Maintenance: Wash the fence two to four times a year. It should be inspected at least twice a year to look for any signs of damage.
Oil the Hardware: This is a general rule that applies to all types of fences. The gate hinges and other hardware should be oiled once a year. Make sure the screws are checked and tightened or replaced in time.
Adjust a Gate: If there is a gate, it should be adjusted once a year. Make sure it is properly secured to prevent it from swinging during bad weather.

Chain-Link Fences

Your galvanized steel chain-link fence should last you up to 30 years. You can apply a vinyl coating for additional protection and make sure any damages are repaired on time. Some tips to extend a chain-link fence’s life are as follows:

Clean Regularly: These fences are easier to clean. You will need a pressure washer and mild soap to remove dirt, debris, and stains.
Rust Protection: chain-link fences are likely to get rust. Make sure to apply rust protection on an annual basis. Special attention should be given to the fence’s bottom, where moisture from the ground can build up.
Remove Vines: It is an appealing idea to don your chain-link fences with vines to add privacy and enhance the fence’s beauty. The foliage is going to expose the fence to moisture and place weight on it. It is recommended to remove vines and plants on the fence to add more years to it.

As mentioned above for other fences, you should oil any gate hinges and check the hardware from time to time.

So, these are some of the most helpful tips to add more years to your fences. For more information and guidance, contact G’s Fence Company of San Antonio at (210) 888-1498. You can also write to us, and we will get back to you at the earliest.